How to Remove Tarnish From a Silver Plate

Cleaning with Polish

• 1). Protect your work-surface and your hands. Tarnish is produced by a chemical reaction and using commercial silver polish produces another one. Polishing silver leaves dark, washable marks on everything involved and some people find silver polish irritating to skin.
  
  
• 2). Apply a thin, even coat of polish with your sponge, and allow it to dry on the plate for about 15 minutes. Wipe it off with rags or paper towels. Repeat if necessary. If all the tarnish is gone, wash your plate in soapy water, then dry it.
  
  
• 3). Apply another thin coat of polish again, if you still have dark streaks or spots. Resist the temptation to apply polish thickly. It works only where it contacts the silver and accumulated polish can contribute to further tarnish. Repeat rubbing, washing and drying.
  
  
• 4). Use your old toothbrush to work polish into incised areas and ornate borders or trimmings if necessary. Rub gently--your brush will apply polish to creases, incised lines and ornate areas, not rub off all the tarnish. Rinse toothbrush while polish is drying and use it to remove dried polish. Avoid scrubbing hard, to keep from scratching silver.
  
  

Alternative for Severely Tarnished Silver

• 1). Bring some water to a boil in an aluminum kettle large enough to hold your plate. Remove kettle from heat, and slide plate gently into water. Add 1/4 cup baking soda. Water will froth and bubble.
  
  
• 2). Wait a few minutes until bubbles stop. Inspect plate and add a second 1/4 cup baking soda if you still see tarnish. Do not re-boil water--it is still hot enough. Wait until bubbles stop.
  
  
• 3). Pour off water and remove plate with rubber gloves. Usually, two treatments with soda are enough to remove stubborn, heavy tarnish. Rinse plate in soapy water and dry. Treat any remaining streaks or spots with silver polish, as above.